During WWII Major Donald Strait was assigned to the 361st Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group, 8th USAAF. He completed 2 combat tours, flew 122 missions scoring 13.5 victories with 10.5 of these in his P-51 44-15152 "Jersey Jerk". Later Major Strait became the C/O of the 361st FS and after WWII joined the New Jersey Air National Guard where he became a Squadron Commander and Wing Commander. Now a Major General he retired in 1978 having been decorated 9 times and inducted into the New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame.